U-M students in Chile safe, president urges support of earthquake victims

The University of Michigan has confirmed that 12 students studying in Chile were unharmed by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the South American nation early Saturday morning. The U-M students are involved in a joint academic program with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in which they take courses at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile in Santiago. The students are the only known members of the campus community in Chile, according to the U-M International Travel Registry.

"We are grateful that these members of the University community who are in Chile are safe,” President Mary Sue Coleman said. “While the loss of life in Chile is not as devastating as with the Haiti earthquake, there still is a profound sense of loss and widespread devastation. I encourage our community to support the rebuilding process, which we know will require tremendous resources."

Chile asked for international aid late yesterday, particularly for help with mobile bridges, electric generators, satellite phones, salt-water purification systems, electric generators and field kitchens.